Post-mortem investigation of calcium content in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle in accidental hypothermia cases

Jakubeniene, Marija; Irnius, Algimantas; Chaker, Gregoire Abi; Paliulis, Jonas Mindaugas; Bechelis, Antanas

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.05.017

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In forensic practice, however, the diagnosis of death due to extreme environmental temperatures involving hypothermia (cold exposure) and hyperthermia (heat stroke) is often difficult because of poor or nonspecific gross and microscopic findings, although hypothermia may present with typical pathologies including frost erythema and hemorrhagic gastric erosions (Wischnewski spots) [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Previous studies have suggested that postmortem biochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology can detect systemic functional alterations in these fatalities [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of human brain damage in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperature by quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunoreactivities

Wang

Ishikawa

Michiue

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of human brain damage in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperature by quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunoreactivities

Wang

Ishikawa

Michiue

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International

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“…Postmortem human studies have reported lower calcium and magnesium levels in the pericardial fluid from hypothermic fatalities compared with those of the controls [35] and lower magnesium and higher calcium compared with those from other fatalities [42]. Jakubeniene et al [43] found no significant changes in the calcium content of postmortem tissue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Histopathological, histochemical and biochemical postmortem changes in induced fatal hypothermia in rats

Ibrahim

Mohammed

Tammam

et al. 2021

Forensic Sciences Research

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Reaching a postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia is challenging in forensic practice. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect the histopathological, histochemical and biochemical changes that occur in adult albino rats following exposure to induced fatal hypothermia. Twenty-four adult albino rats were divided into the negative control, moderate hypothermia, severe hypothermia and hypoxia groups. Rats in the control group were euthanized when those in the moderate hypothermic group died. Blood samples were collected via heart puncture, and the cerebrum, heart, suprarenal gland, kidney, liver and skeletal muscle were removed to investigate the biochemical, histochemical and histopathological changes. Postmortem assessment depicted significant changes in lipid peroxidation, represented by increased malondialdehyde levels in the studied organs of the rats in hypothermic and hypoxia groups. Histopathological examination of the rats' organs revealed degeneration and necrosis in the hypothermia and hypoxia groups. Sections taken from the severe hypothermic rats revealed a loss of normal cardiac tissue architecture, necrotic changes in the pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex, and massive necrosis, mainly in the tubules of the renal cortex and medulla. These findings suggest that histological changes might be used as biochemical markers for postmortem diagnosing of fatal hypothermia, particularly in severe hypothermic conditions. KEY POINTS• Death by hypothermia is a serious public health problem worldwide.• Confirming a diagnosis and determining the cause of death in cases of hypothermia are among the most difficult practices in forensic medicine. • Death by hypothermia might be associated with structural abnormalities in various organs. • Studies using different tissue staining techniques will enable an overall illustration of the role of histopathological changes in body organs as indicators of hypothermia.

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“…Jacubeniene et al [46,47] collected heart, liver, and skeletal muscle samples from two series of hypothermia cases and analyzed the calcium and sodium levels to investigate the possibility that hypothermia could induce electrolyte disturbances. Their results showed no significant differences in the calcium levels of any of the analyzed tissues whereas sodium concentration was significantly greater in the skeletal muscle tissues of the hypothermia cases.…”

Section: Electrolytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postmortem biochemical investigations in hypothermia fatalities

Palmière

Mangin

2012

Int J Legal Med

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Despite the progress made during the past several decades in forensic pathology, the possibilities for the postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia remains relatively limited. Aside from histology and immunohistochemistry, numerous authors have investigated the postmortem biochemistry of hypothermia fatalities. Several biochemical markers (e.g., glucose, electrolytes, hormones, ketone bodies, and neurotransmitters) and various biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, heart, liver, skeletal muscle as well as pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids) have been proposed as potentially useful markers to improve the insufficient diagnostic efficacy of macroscopic and microscopic findings. The aim of this article is to review the medicolegal literature covering the postmortem biochemical investigations that are associated with hypothermia cases as well as report our own research results on this topic where possible.

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Post-mortem investigation of calcium content in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle in accidental hypothermia cases

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

Evaluation of human brain damage in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperature by quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunoreactivities

Evaluation of human brain damage in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperature by quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunoreactivities

Histopathological, histochemical and biochemical postmortem changes in induced fatal hypothermia in rats

Postmortem biochemical investigations in hypothermia fatalities

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